YAMMA

Kenny Florian will reportedly serve as the temporary host of ESPN’s newly-planned online mixed martial arts magazine show that will appear exclusively on the company’s official website and on mobile phones according to Adam Swift of MMA Payout.

According to Swift, Florian will serve as the show’s host at least for the first two weeks of tapings. However it’s unknown whether the show will be UFC-based, something that apparently delayed the launch of the program, or if it will cover the entire world of the sport.

Affliction-HDNet Deal Still Possible

While it was previously reported that a potential deal between Affliction and HDNet that would have the clothing brand hold it’s first MMA show at the Dallas-based American Airlines Center fell apart, HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon says that the event could still possibly be televised on the digital cable network.

According to MMA Weekly, the event would not be permitted to take place at the home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks due to a lack of time to substantially promote the show. However the potential of at least part of the event airing live or on tape-delay on HDNet is not out of the realm of possibility.

“We talk to everybody and I wouldn’t say that any conversation is dead yet,” Simon said in the report. “You just never know. You know how this sport works, one day you think you’re not working together and the next day you might announce something. Affliction… I would say, never say never.

ASU Shuts Down Storied Wrestling Program

Arizona State University has decided to shut down it’s storied wrestling program along with men’s swimming and men’s tennis as part of a financial cutback at the school according to MMA Weekly.

Normally this wouldn’t be the type of news to be reported on this site, but the school’s wrestling program has produced a slew of highly-touted MMA prospects in recent years, including current UFC fighters Cain Velasquez and C.B. Dollaway. Shoe-in hall-of-famers Dan Severn, Don Frye, and Dan Henderson all competed for the school as well in the past.

There may still be hope for the program. NCAA President Myles Brand is expected to hold a meeting later this month to discuss the possibility of protecting school sports that also take place in the Olympics, wrestling being one of them.

Bush Tests Positive for Marijuana

Heavyweight prospect George Bush has reportedly tested positive for marijuana following his first-round tournament loss to former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez at YAMMA Pit Fighting’s inaugural show last month in Atlantic City, New Jersey according to Sherdog.com.

“I just found out a few days ago, and needless to say, I’m very surprised and disappointed,” Bush said in the report. “I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I assure the fans that this will never happen again.”

While there won’t be any official announcement from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, (they don’t release drug-testing information to the media) Bush has confirmed that he has not been fined but has been suspended by the commission for 90 days.

Revolutionary? The jury’s still out. However YAMMA Pit Fighting’s inaugural show went off without much of a hitch at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where veteran Travis Wiuff (52-11) won three consecutive fights to win the promotion’s first-ever heavyweight tournament last night.

Wiuff’s road to victory contradicted what Bob Meyrowitz and company predicted that YAMMA’s cage, which sported an incline close to the fence all the way around, would prevent. Wiuff used the leverage of the incline to continuously take his opponent down to the mat. YAMMA’s attempt to keep fights on the feet backfired in a big way.

The quarterfinals of the tournament saw former UFC heavyweight champion and tournament-favorite Ricco Rodriguez (28-9) use well-timed takedowns to score a unanimous decision over George Bush (5-1). Chris Tuscherer (13-1) and Wiuff both used the same strategy to earn first-round wins over Tony Sylvester (10-2) and Marcelo Pereira (0-1) respectively.

The first fight of the night saw Alexey Oleinik (7-4) have a point deducted after he continued to punch Sherman Pendergarst (10-9) while referee Kevin Mulhall was bringing the fight back up to the feet. However Olenik quickly scored a takedown and secured a fight-ending front choke with less than a minute left in the first round.

In the semifinals, Minnesota natives Wiuff and Tuscherer dodged submission attempts and scored takedowns against Rodriguez and Olenik to move to the three-round final that saw Wiuff use superior wrestling to earn a unanimous decision and the tournament crown.

The official weigh-in results for tonight’s YAMMA Pit Fighting debut show are below. All fighters successfully made weight.

The event will be highlighted by two bouts in YAMMA’s “Master’s Division”. Infamous professional boxer Eric “Butterbean” Esch will take on replacement opponent Patrick Smith. Former UFC tournament champions Oleg Taktarov and Mark Kerr will also collide.

There were only a couple of minor hitches at the weigh-ins. Ricco Rodriguez and Bryan Vetell both originally failed to make weight but each came in under the heavyweight tournament limit one-hour later.

Despite speculation that Mark Kerr would not be approved to fight by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board because of an existing suspension by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, it seems that the former two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner will be permitted to fight after all.

The news comes from Sam Caplan and Five Ounces of Pain, who report through an official with the NJSACB that Kerr has been taken off of his suspenison in the state of Connecticut and will be cleared to fight Oleg Taktarov at this weekend’s YAMMA Pit Fighting event, assuming he passes all necessary medical exams.

Kerr was suspended after failing pre-fight tests before a scheduled bout against Sean O’Haire last year. Kerr will essentially be replacing an injured Don Frye against Taktarov. Frye was forced to pull out of the bout after suffering a shoulder injury during a recent training session.

He will now be required to undergo surgery but will be at the show do to do commentary on the pay-per-view broadcast.

In addition, Ron Waterman has reportedly been tapped to serve as an alternate for the one night, eight-man heavyweight tournament that is slated to take place at the event.

It’s been another drama-filled week for Ultimate Fighting Championship founder Bob Meyrowitz and his new YAMMA Pit Fighting venture.

Just days after the organization attempted to finalize it’s inaugural card with the addition of longtime veterans Ricco Rodriguez and Mark Kerr, another late change has taken place.

The promotion announced today that Gary Goodridge, who was slated to take on former boxer Eric “Butterbean” Esch, will not be permitted to fight per the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, which requires a medical suspension of at least 30 days following a fighter’s knockout loss. Goodridge was put to sleep by Mu Bae Choi this past weekend.

Coming back into the fold to replace Goodridge will be Patrick Smith, who was recently pulled from the card after recently being arrested following a high-speed chase involving police in Bryant County, Oklahoma. Smith was to replace Don Frye against Oleg Taktarov.

Smith reportedly reached speeds of upwards of 130 MPH on his motorcycle. The 44-year-old was charged with felony attempting to elude to police, possession of a prescription drug without a valid prescription, and reckless driving.

Frye was forced to pull out of his scheduled bout against Taktarov after suffering a shoulder injury during training. He will now be required to undergo surgery but will be at the show to do commentary on the pay-per-view broadcast.

The trouble may not be over yet though. Five Ounces of Pain is reporting that the NJSACB has yet to approve a co-main event between Kerr and Taktarov. Kerr is currently still under indefinite suspension by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation after failing pre-fight tests before a scheduled bout against Sean O’Haire last year according to Sherdog.

YAMMA Pit Fighting has announced that UFC and PRIDE veteran Mark Kerr and former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez have both been added to their upcoming inaugural event on April 11th in Atlantic City.

The show will now feature a main event between Kerr and longtime veteran Oleg Taktarov, a fight that will take place in YAMMA’s “Masters Division”.

Kerr replaces fellow UFC veteran Patrick Smith, who was originally slated to replace an injured Don Frye against Taktarov but will now be unable to compete after recently being arrested following a high-speed chase involving police in Bryant County, Oklahoma.

Smith reportedly reached speeds of upwards of 130 MPH on his motorcycle. The 44-year-old was charged with felony attempting to elude to police, possession of a prescription drug without a valid prescription, and reckless driving.

Frye was forced to pull out of his scheduled bout against Taktarov after suffering a shoulder injury during a recent training session. He will now be required to undergo surgery but will be at the show do to do commentary on the pay-per-view broadcast.

Rodriguez has been added to the scheduled eight-man heavyweight tournament that will also feature Travis Wiuff and Sherman Pendergrast. Rodriguez will be replacing Kevin Jordan, who has been removed from the tournament for unknown reasons.

The former champion is coming off of a close, split decision loss to Antonio Silva at EliteXC: Street Certified last month.

Update: Sam Caplan of 5 Ounces of Pain has learned from the NJACB that Kerr is not cleared to fight in the Yamma event. There is a question as to whether Kerr is still under suspension of the Mohegan Sun Reservation Athletic Board, a suspension that the NJACB would likely honor.

Just days after replacing an injured Don Frye against Oleg Taktarov, longtime veteran Patrick Smith will not be competing in the main event of YAMMA Pit Fighting’s debut show on April 11th in Atlantic City.

MMA on Tap was able to confirm Smith’s status with YAMMA officials this afternoon. An announcement regarding another replacement opponent for Taktarov is expected to come in the few days.

Smith was arrested in Bryan County, Oklahoma after leading police in a high-speed chase Thursday night. Smith reportedly reached speeds of upwards of 130 MPH on his motorcycle.

Smith, who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first show in 1993, was eventually detained and remains in police custody. The 44-year-old was charged with felony attempting to elude to police, possession of a prescription drug without a valid prescription, and reckless driving.

Frye was forced to pull out of his scheduled bout against Taktarov after suffering a shoulder injury during a recent training session. He will now be required to undergo surgery but will be at the show do to do commentary on the pay-per-view broadcast

Since returning to active competition in 2006, Smith has been victorious in four out of his last five fights.

Problems continue to arise when it comes to the main event of YAMMA Pit Fighting’s debut show on April 11th in Atlantic City. Just days after replacing an injured Don Frye against Oleg Taktarov, longtime veteran Patrick Smith has reportedly been arrested in Bryan County, Oklahoma after leading police in a high-speed chase overnight.

The news comes from a report courtesy of KXII TV 12, which serves parts of Texas as well.

Smith apparently lead local police on a seven-minute chase around 6:00 AM ET Thursday night, reaching speeds of upwards of 130 MPH on his motorcycle. Smith, who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first show in 1993, was eventually detained and remains in police custody.

The 44-year-old was charged with felony attempting to elude to police, possession of a prescription drug without a valid prescription, and reckless driving. A message left with YAMMA concerning Smith’s participation on the card post-arrest has not yet been returned.

Frye was forced to pull out of his scheduled bout against Taktarov after suffering a shoulder injury during a recent training session. He will now be required to undergo surgery but will be at the show do to do commentary on the pay-per-view broadcast

Since returning to active competition in 2006, Smith has been victorious in four out of his last five fights.

Former “Ultimate Fighter” cast member Mike Whitehead talks his XFA debut this weekend, the fighter payscale, Randy-Fedor, the new mystery promotion involving Affliction clothing, and even teaches host Dave Farra some striking techniques in the latest video from RawVegas.

Smith Replaces Frye in YAMMA Main Event

Don Frye has reportedly pulled out of his scheduled main event bout against Oleg Taktarov at YAMMA Pit Fighting’s debut show on April 11th in Atlantic City.

The news comes from Sherdog.com and an official reason as to why Frye pulled out of the fight remains unknown.

Frye will be replaced by another longtime veteran in the form of Patrick Smith, who competed at the first two Ultimate Fighting Championship events. Since returning to active competition in 2006, Smith has been victorious in four out of his five fights.

Palace Fighting Championship 7 Weigh-In Results

The only hitch at yesterday’s weigh-ins for Palace Fighting Championship’s latest event tonight at Lemoore, California’s Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino didn’t involving a fighter failing to make weight.

Former “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Richie Hightower fell ill and will be unable to meet Bryan Travers in a PFC welterweight title match. Hightower will be replaced by Gladiator Challenge veteran Joel “Bulldog” Crawford according to Sherdog.com. Crawford has failed to earn his first career victory in four attempts thus far.

“The Ultimate Fighter 6” cast member Ben Saunders will likely return to action at UFC 86 in July according to our friends from MMA Junkie.

After being bounced out of the popular reality show’s tournament by eventual runner-up Tommy Speer in the quarterfinals, Saunders bounced back and kept his undefeated professional streak alive in earning an unanimous decision over Dan Barrera at The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale in December.

Each week AskMen.com holds their ‘Beauty Pageant Of The Week’. Last week was the girls on this season of American Idol, this week is the girls of the UFC.

Go ahead and vote for who you think is the hottest of the trio. Rachelle Leah, Arianny Celeste, and Edith Larente are all ready to receive your vote. I went with Arianny but that’s just me. Make sure you hurry up and get your picks in. It is the end of the week you know.

Jordan Replaces Richards in YAMMA Tournament

UFC veteran Kevin Jordan has replaced Rex Richards in YAMMA Pit Fighting’s upcoming eight-man heavyweight tournament next month according to the latest fight card on the organization’s official website.

Jordan was submitted by Paul Buentello and knocked out by Gabriel Gonzaga before being released from the UFC. Since then Jordan has gone 2-1. His last fight was a submission win over Carlos Morena at a Battle Cage Xtreme show last October.

AFL: Erupption Filled With UFC Veterans

The American Fight League will hold an event titled “Erupption” tonight at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky that will feature four veterans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship competing on the card. Junior Assuncao, Rory Singer and Dan Christison will all be in action in separate fights.

Diego Saraiva will go up against Joe Ammerman for the AFL lightweight title in the night’s main event.

Vigneault to Travel to Aruba for TKO 33

TKO Championship Fighting veteran Stephane Vigneault will be fighting on the organization’s next card in Aruba according to a report from our friends at TKO Xtreme.

After a near two-year hiatus from active competition, Vigneault made his return at TKO 31: Young Guns in December but ended up being submitted by lightweight prospect Ben Greer. Vigneault bounced back with a TKO win over Daniel Ferguson last weekend.